It's a mintmark indicating the coin was minted in San Francisco. Possible letters on a buffalo nickel are:
25 Most Valuable Nickels1.) 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel - Worth $4,408,6502.) 1880 Shield Nickel - Worth $20,0003.) 1924 S Buffalo Nickel - Worth $14,0004.) 1926 S Buffalo Nickel - Worth $7,6005.) 1927 S Buffalo Nickel - Worth $5,0006.) 1881 Shield Nickel - Worth $4,0007.) 1883 Shield Nickel - Worth $3,9008.) 1867 Shield Nickel - Worth $3,6009.) 1920 D Buffalo Nickel - Worth $3,50010.) 1928 D Buffalo Nickel - Worth $3,40011.) 1918 D Buffalo Nickel - Worth $3,30012.) 1925 S Buffalo Nickel - Worth $3,30013.) 1924 D Buffalo Nickel - Worth $3,00014.) 1870 Shield Nickel - Worth $3,00015.) 1920 S Buffalo Nickel - Worth $2,50016.) 1872 Shield Nickel - Worth $2,50017.) 1919 D Buffalo Nickel - Worth $2,35018.) 1885 Liberty Head V Nickel - Worth $2,32819.) 1912 S Liberty Head V Nickel - Worth $1,94520.) 1886 Liberty Head V Nickel - Worth $1,86121.) 1877 Shield Nickel - Worth $1,85422.) 1938 Jefferson Nickel - Worth $1,80023.) 1873 Shield Nickel - Worth $1,80024.) 1874 Shield Nickel - Worth $1,80025.) 1916 D Buffalo Nickel - Worth $1,780
16.00
We need a year to go with the S for a value
it isworth 5 cents
Buffalo nickel was created in 1913.
It would depend on the date of the Buffalo nickel. Post a new question and include the date and mintmark if there is one.
value of a 1936 buffalo head nickel
How much is a 1820 buffalo nickel
This coin is commonly called either a buffalo nickel or an Indian head nickel but not a "buffalo head nickel" - after all, it shows the whole buffalo! Please see the question "What is the value of a 1927 US nickel?" for more information.
The first Indian Head/Buffalo Nickel was minted in Philadephia in the year 1913. The coin is actually called a buffalo nickel or an Indian head nickel, but not "buffalo head". After all, it shows the entire buffalo, not just its head :)
Any Buffalo nickel with no mintmark was struck in Philadelphia. Nickels did not have a "P" mintmark until 1980.
There is no such thing as an 1889 Buffalo Nickel. Buffalo nickels were only minted from 1913 to 1938. A nickel minted in 1889 would be a Liberty Head or "V" nickel.